Xerophaeus lunulifer

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Umhlali Mouse Ground Spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gnaphosidae
Genus: Xerophaeus
Species:
X. lunulifer
Binomial name
Xerophaeus lunulifer
Purcell, 1907 [1]

Xerophaeus lunulifer is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. [2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Umhlali mouse ground spider. [3]

Contents

Distribution

Xerophaeus lunulifer is recorded from four South African provinces: the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Western Cape. [3]

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos, Savanna, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 9 to 1534 m above sea level. Xerophaeus lunulifer are free-living ground dwellers. [3]

Description

Conservation

Xerophaeus lunulifer is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide range. The species is protected in False Bay Nature Reserve, Table Mountain National Park, and Hluhluwe Nature Reserve. There are no significant threats. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1907 from Umhlali, KwaZulu-Natal. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes. [3]

References

  1. Purcell, W.F. (1907). "New South African spiders of the family Drassidae in the collection of the South African Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 20 (118): 297–336. doi:10.1080/00222930709487339.
  2. "Xerophaeus lunulifer Purcell, 1907". World Spider Catalog.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Gnaphosidae of South Africa. Part 3 (T-X). South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 50. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.